Untitled article by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Nov 8, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 45.

EDUCATION IN THE HOME. NO. 24

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

(Continued from "Signs" of October 25.)

"SURE enough," admitted Walter, "it would be quite absurd to expect one to 'seek' for immortality if he already possessed it."

"But this is only one text containing the word immortality," said Mr. Wilber, "please let us hear the others—this study is growing intensely interesting, to me, at least."

"The Bible is a deeply interesting book as well as an instructive one," was the reply, "and the only wonder is, that it is studied so little. But, Mrs. Gray, if you will turn to 1 Cor. 15: 53, 54, you will find another instance of the use of this rare word."

"'For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.'"

"The word is used twice in this instance, but as it is in the same verse and used in the same connection, we count it but once; but is there anything, Mrs. Gray, do you think, in this scripture, to indicate that the soul or spirit of man is now immortal?"

"O, no, indeed; there is everything to indicate exactly the opposite."

"Certainly," chimed in Mr. Gray. "Man is called mortal twice in this scripture."

"Mr. Wilber, I will ask you to read the next instance in which the word is found, and let us watch closely to see if we can not find some mention of an immortal soul or spirit in man," smiled Brother Hartman, "I think Elsie can give you the reference."

"I must ask if you look these texts up beforehand, Mr. Hartman. I have often been surprised at the readiness with which your family find the texts," queried Mr. Wilber, as Elsie paused a moment before giving him the reference.

"I think," she replied, "that you will find the word immortality in 1 Tim. 6: 15, 16 also; and—well, yes, Mr. Wilber, we certainly do study our lesson. We think it worth our while. Don't you think so?"

"It seems to pay you, really, it does," interrupted Mrs. Gray.

"Yes, yes, Miss Elsie, it pays you well; in fact, I suppose an earnest study of God's Word is a pretty paying business. But I will read the text: 'Which in His times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto.'"

"Well," said Billy Black, with a twinkle in his eye, "I'm sure that's plain enough; it says that nobody but just God is immortal."

"Yes, Billy," assented Walter Gray, "yes, but what about the angels? I didn't suppose any of them ever could die."

Billy looked a little put out at this turn in the argument, and turned appealingly to John, while he wondered if his friend could help him out of the tangle.

"I think Billy wants me to answer your question, Walter, but I will refer it to father," said John modestly.

Mrs. Wilber turned her dark eyes questioningly upon Brother Hartman, and Mrs. Jones interrupted eagerly: "I think this is leading us into pretty deep water, isn't it, Mr. Hartman?"

"Perhaps; but there is not a single subject in the Word of God but that is as deep as the deepest depth, and high as the measureless heaven. Mrs. Wilber, will you kindly read Jude 6?"

"'And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.'"

"But that doesn't say that even bad angels are not immortal, does it, now,—honestly, Mr. Hartman?" queried Walter.

"Wait a moment, Walter. Will you read John 3: 16?"

"With pleasure. Indeed, I believe I can repeat that text from memory. 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that who-soever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'"

"Now, Walter, don't you think this is equivalent to saying that all who do not believe in Christ shall perish? and surely if we must believe in Christ or perish, evil angels who, with Satan as their leader, are constantly fighting against Christ, must perish. But now, I would like Mrs. Gray to read Eze. 28: 18, 19."

While Mrs. Gray turned to the text, Sister Hartman remarked: "This entire chapter refers unmistakably to Satan, for verse 16 calls him 'the covering cherub.'"

"'Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities; . . . therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth. . . . Thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more!'"

"Thus we see," continued Brother Hartman, "that not only evil angels, but Satan as well, will finally be destroyed,—which, of course, they could not be if they were immortal. Is this plain to you, Walter?"

"Much plainer than before, Mr. Hartman, but I think it would be a good plan to have an entire reading just upon that subject."

"I am sure it would be of great interest," interrupted Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Wilber together.

"Very well; we will try to do so; for it is a subject which will bear much study. But there is just one more text which contains the word immortality. It is found in 2 Tim. 1: 10. Will Mr. Gray please read?"

"'But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.'"

"Ah! through the Gospel!" repeated grandma. "Immortality is only possible through Christ our Lord."

"Is this the last text, father?" asked Mattie.

"Yes, and yet we have found that in not a single instance does the word 'immortality' refer to the soul or spirit of man."

"Isn't it most time we told our stories about dead men, papa?" asked little Beth anxiously; at which every one smiled, while Brother Hartman added by way of explanation:

"The children were each to have told a Bible story to-night, of some person who had died and been raised to life again by the power of God, so that we might see if anything is said in that connection, about their being conscious after death. But we must wait until the next reading for this, as it is now rather late. Let us sing to close: "Only in Christ we have life immortal!" And as the beautiful strains rang out, more than one in that little company at Brother Hartman's felt a deeper desire for true holiness, without which eternal life is impossible."

(Continued in two weeks.)